Gerunds in English Grammar

1. What is the Gerund?

A gerund is a verb in its -ing (present participle) form that functions as a noun. 

2. Form

infinitive + –ing

3. Examples

  • Gerund as Subject:

    Swimming is fun.

  • Gerund as Object:

    I enjoy swimming.

4. Gerund after the following verbs

  • admit

    He admitted having an affair.

  • avoid

    She avoided meeting me at the party.

  • carry on

    If we carry on talking maybe he will go away.

  • consider

    I am considering moving to America.

  • delay

    I delayed starting the meeting until he arrived.

  • deny

    She denies stealing the money.

  • discuss

 We discussed having a baby together.

  • dislike

    I dislike doing the washing up.

  • can’t/couldn’t help

    He couldn’t help falling in love with her.

  • enjoy

    I enjoy playing football.

  • finish

    We finished working for the day.

  • give up

    Susan gave up waiting for him.

  • imagine

    He imagined winning the lottery.

  • include

    Your responsibilities include meeting the hotels guests.

  • involve

    The job involves working at night.

  • justify

    I cannot justify asking for a pay increase.

  • keep (on)

    He kept on working although he was ill.

  • mention

    Did she ever mention missing me?

  • mind

    I didn’t mind waiting in the rain.

  • miss

    They miss living in London.

  • practise

    She practises playing the piano every day.

  • recommend

 They recommended staying at the new hotel.

  • regret*

    Do you regret having mentioned it?

  • suggest

    He suggested trying the new restaurant.

* After regret the to-infinitive is used when announcing bad news: We regret to inform you the match has been cancelled.

5. Gerund after special phrases

  • to be busy

    He is busy reading the paper.

  • don’t mind

    I don’t mind telling them my opinion.

  • feel like

    We feel like having a cup of tea.

  • how about

    How about walking home instead of taking the car?

  • it’s (no) good

    It’s no good talking to this girl.

  • it’s no use

    It’s no use talking to the headmaster.

  • spend one’s time

    They spend their time reading.

  • there’s no

    There’s no cheating anymore.

  • there’s no point

    There’s no point in complaining further.

  • what about

    What about going to the zoo?

  • worth

    The book is worth reading.

Explanations

Exercises